Where is the best place to eat and stay in Andover, Hampshire?
It's a question we get asked regularly. Every month we run furniture painting workshops at La Di Da Interiors based in Andover, Hampshire. We have students visiting from all over the UK and Europe and we often get asked where is the best place to stay in Andover? Or where is a really nice place to go for dinner in or near Andover? So, we thought we’d share our recommendations for the top places to eat and stay near Andover according to us!
If you want accommodation:
The Bourne Valley Inn
For a luxurious night away in fabulous Hampshire Countryside with some of the best food and hospitality available we recommend the Bourne Valley Inn in the small village of St Mary Bourne. It’s a little off the beaten track but the food is outstanding, the nine rooms are cosy but contemporary. It’s friendly and they have a great selection of gins behind the bar.
Make sure you make reservations for dinner as they are often fully booked, they serve modern British food. The rooms and bar are dog friendly too if you are bringing your four-legged friend with you. They have biscuits and Snuffle doggie beer too!
Click here for their website or call 01264738361
The George & Dragon
If you’re a foodie-type person we suggest The George & Dragon in Hurstbourne Tarrant. They offer delicious seasonal fresh food sourced locally, even their ale is made in the same village! It’s super-stylish décor and cosy rooms above the pub over look the river and Bourne Valley. The food is outstanding. It’s one of the best in Hampshire. They only have 8 en-suite rooms so book in advance! They also offer family rooms and are also dog friendly. They are also amazing at breakfast and open at 8am every day so if you want to do breakfast on the way to attend one of our courses this is the place we'd recommend. It's about a 20 minute drive from our shop but it's worth it, they bake their own bread, it's worth going for the smell alone!
Click here for their website or call 01264 736277
The Hawk Inn
In a gorgeous chocolate-box Hampshire village just off the A303 is the Hawk Inn at Amport. The food is gatro-pub style and the rooms are comfortable and clean with a variety of options including suite, family room, or superior room. They also allow one dog or cat to stay per room. It has a lovely terrace which is perfect for Summer drinks.
Click here to see their website or call 01264 710371
Budget Options
If you’re looking for a basic head down for the night type place then there is a Premier Inn on the outskirts of Andover along with a Travel Lodge, due to being in close proximity to British Army Headquarters these do tend to get booked up so it’s worth booking as far ahead as possible. Or try an Air bnb.
Highclere Castle Estate
Fancy blowing the budget? We can’t say we’ve ever done it, but you can stay at Highclere Castle (also known as Downton Abbey) or at least on the Estate. You can rent Grotto Lodge (from £1200 for two nights sleeps 4) or London Lodge (£850 for two nights sleeps 2). It looks amazing on their website!
You can contact them via email: EstateOffice@highclerecastle.co.uk
Lainston House Hotel
If you're looking to combine a romantic break or just fancy a little luxury after your painting workshop then Lainston House near Winchester is the place to go. It is about a 30 minute drive from La Di Da Interiors but it is worth it! A 17th century luxury hotel with award-winning dining and beautifully designed rooms, all set in 63 acres of stunning grounds. Their afternoon teas are heavenly and the service is second to none. They also have a cookery school and offer falconry experiences too. Book direct for the best prices, click here to visit their website.
Dinner Options:
All of the pubs mentioned above offer fabulous gastro-pub style food. Here are a few more options for something a little different:
Thai
The Fox Inn offers outstanding Thai food. It’s a traditional English Country pub but with specialist Thai chefs. The landlord Matt is a friendly Aussie and they make a small but fabulous cocktail menu too as well as carefully selected local beers and great wines.
We personally highly recommend the chicken penang and the sizzling platters are amazing. If you have any room for desserts their ginger and coconut ice-creams are heavenly!
Click here to visit their website or call 01264730276
British
The Lion at Clanville is a beautiful family-run Country pub, serving outstanding food and friendly service. They also have vegan and vegetarian options as well as gluten-free. As a personal recommendation the Scotch Egg starters are divine! Their garden is massive and is in a lovely spot for outdoor dining in the Summer.
Click here to visit their website or call 01264771007
Indian
Having gone to University in Birmingham Steph loves a good Indian curry. The Pink Olive Indian Restaurant on the Weyhill Road is out of town but a 2 minute drive from the A303. Contemporary styling with fabulous food, this is our favourite Indian restaurant. The Garlic Chilli Chicken is divine!
Click here to visit their website or call 01264772356
Nepalese
If you don’t fancy getting in your car after the workshop within walking distance of La Di Da Interiors is Tama Chulo Gurka Kitchen and Bar. It’s right in the centre of town in Shaws Walk, just off the High Street and is a Nepalese restaurant run by a local Gurka Nepalease family. The restaurant serves traditional dishes Thali sets, Sukuti, momos and Nepalese curries. They also offer a fabulous lunchtime specials.
Click here to visit their website or call 01264351175
Turkish
Captain’s Mezze & Fish is down the road from La Di Da Interiors on Bridge Street. Casual dining Turkish style, they offer lunch and dinner options, great service and tasty Turkish food.
Telephone 01264358111
Italian
We have Zintino's Italian which is a 5 minute walk from the shop, Lower Guildhall in the High Street, SP10 1LP telephone 01264350441 or Pizza Express is also within a 5 minute walk from us underneath the Star & Garter Hotel on the High Street SP10 1NX telephone 01264334333, ideal if you’re wanting to have a quick bite to eat before driving home.
Local Attractions:
Andover is conveniently located between the M3 and M4 and close to many fantastic visitor attractions in Hampshire and surrounding counties such as Wiltshire and Berkshire. It is close to Stonehenge, The River Test (famous for trout fishing) Bombay Sapphire Distillery (they do a great Gin tasting and cocktail making course), Cottonworth Vineyard (the tour is informative and fun and you get to do some tasting!) Stockbridge, Winchester, Southampton, Marwell Zoo, Finkley Down Farm, The Museum of Army Flying, The Hawk Conservancy, Salisbury, Highclere Castle (also known as Downton Abbey) and Thruxton Race Circuit. There is lots to do in Hampshire so why not make a weekend of it?!
Our top recommended place to visit for adults is the Bombay Sapphire Distillery Tour
Enjoy a beautifully British day out with a world famous gin. Go behind-the-scenes of Britain’s favourite spirit and discover the secret craft surrounding the making of one of the world’s finest gins, Bombay Sapphire.
Just 10 miles from La Di Da Interiors, the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstock Mill offers a fun and informative day out that is a must for any cocktail lover or gin connoisseur. Here you can learn about the intriguing heritage of this fine British gin, wander the stunning botanical greenhouses and even try your hand at mastering the craft of gin making for yourself with a gin masterclasses or workshop.
With tickets from £15 including a complimentary drink in the Mill Bar, it’s a delicious sensory experience. For more information about the Bombay Sapphire distillery and its tours and experiences, visit their website.
Our top recommended place to visit with children is Finkley Down Farm.
One of the original Farm Parks in the UK, open all year round, with a massive indoor play barn with different areas for different age ranges. There’s lots of outdoor play as well, including the Little Farmers Driving School with mini Land Rovers and some fab slides and climbing equipment. Throughout the day there are animal handling sessions and feeding activities for children to get involved in. The Meerkat Mansion is the latest addition to the farm making a brilliant day out! Their cafe is good with quality coffee and the sausage baps are yummy. For more information about Finkley Down Farm and for advanced bookings with discounted tickets visit their website. Don't forget your wellies for outdoors and socks for soft play.
We hope you’ve found this guide of where to stay and eat near Andover useful and look forward to welcoming you on a La Di Da Interiors Furniture Painting workshop soon.
Best wishes
Steph & Stu
Brilliant, I’ll definitely be trying some of those places to eat soon 🙂
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